Improvement in apparatus for drying the soles of boots and shoes



UNITED' STATES A1=lrrE1\r.v OFFICE.

y JAMES T.'JEEEEES, or` mmv` i, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. 1,521,143, dated Angus`t18,`1874`;

application tiled July 13, 1874.

To all whom t may `concern Be it known that I, JAMES T. JEFFERS, of Lynn, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Apparatus -for Dryingthe Soles of Shoes, of which the following is a specifi cation:

My invention relates to a portable apparatus in which steam is used for drying the soles of shoes. The object of my invention is to combine, in said apparatus, an arrangement of valves, so that just a proper degree of low pressure of steam shall be insured, and acondenser, so that, such low pressure of steam being maintained, the larger part of the steam shall be condensed and returned to the boiler, thus a small amount of Water being required, together with a convenient support for the shoes and a device for regulating the amount and causing an equal distribution of heat` about the soles of the shoes.

The heat derived from steam, in pipes properly arranged, is especially adapted to drying the soles of shoes previous to buffing, while direct heat from the llame is peculiarly unsuitable, since by it the soles are unevenly dried, and are likely to be overheated in parts. It is often, however, avery expensive operation to conduct steam to the place where it is desirable to set the drying apparatus. Hence it is very desirable to make, use, and dispose of the steam, as far as possible, in one combined and portable contrivance. lt is also important to use the steam at as low a pressure above that of the atmosphere as possible, in order that, while very thin material is used for the pipes and other parts containing the steam, in order to obtain the greatest amount of radiation of heat and economy in construction of boiler and pipes, such boiler and pipes shall not burst, and that the v:steam shall be the more surely condensed and the water returned to the boiler. A certain degree of pressure above that of the atmosphere is required, and hence f a pressure-valve is needed. Having constructed the boiler and pipes of thin material, for the reasons given, I ind a vacuum-valve is necessary to prevent the crushing in of said boiler and pipes when the llame for making steam is removed. Even distribution of heat about the soles of the shoes is needed, which may be caused by a circulation of air. As the l soles,when they come to the stage of preparation for bung, do not all have the same amount of moisture, there is demanded an arrangement for regulating the amount o i heated air that circulates about them.

In consideration of the above facts and to combine al1 the desired advantages in one ap paratus, I construct it according to the following description:

Bigure l is an elevation of an apparatus for drying the soles of shoes, illustrating my in vention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of condenser, valves, &c., taken on the line l 1. Fig. 4is avertical cross-section of supporting-frame and inclosed parts, taken on line 2 2.

A is a frame, having the four perpendicular sides shown. Over the top ofthe frame is spread the wire netting B, or other equivalent supportfor the shoes, which are simply set thereon. The frame A has extended through it horizontally the two partitions C and I). partitions have in juxtaposition to them, severally, the slidesE and F. Openings a a, &c., in said slides, correspond with the openings b Z1, 85e., in the fixed partitions, so that the moving of the slides endwise shall open `or close continued passages from the lower to the upper part. of the frame A. The slides are operated by the rods c c. It will be seen that a chamber, G, is formed between the partitions. This chamber assists in equalizing the temperature, while the adjustment of the slides regulates the amount of air that shall pass up and about the shoes. A simple boiler, H," is used for generating the steam. From this boiler the Steam-pipe I leads, passing into the lower part of the frame A, and, having lbeen suitably coiled beneath the partitions G D, passes upward, forming a coil above said partitions, then outward at d into the condenser K. Having been suitably coiled in the condenser, the pipe I connects with the two branches, as shown, the Aone containing the valve e, and the other the valve o. The valve e is a pressure-valve, pressed to its seat lby a spring, and o is a vacuum-valve, balanced by the spring in the ordinary manner. I use but a small quantity of water in the boiler, which may be heated by the llame of a lamp or a common gas-burner. There is maintained a press These nre of steam butlittle above that of the atmosphere by the pressure-valve e, and only to near that degree as Will insure the condensing of nearly or quite all of the steam by the condenser K. Thus the Water is used over repeatedly, but little attention being required to keep the proper amount of water in the boiler. Whenever the ilame for generating the steam is removed, and the pressure of the steamfalls below that of the atmosphere, the vacuumvalve o operates and air is let into the pipes and boiler. Thus the boiler and pipe may be made very thin, for economy :in manufacture, and to secure the greatest amount of radiation of heat from the pipes with the smallest amount of Water. By combining the parts substantially as described, I am able to construct an apparatus at a comparatively small cost that is very efficient for the purpose in-` tended. It is portable and can be readily setv Wherever desiredA With little or no outside adjustment.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination of the frame A, wire netting or support B, steam-pipe I, and condenser K, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

2.v The combination of the frame A, Wire netting or support B, steam-pipe I, and pressure-valvel e, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

,3. The combination of the frame A, wire netting or support B, steam-pipe I, and vacnum-valve o, substantially as and for the pur-` pose hereinbefore set forth.

JAMES TfJEFFERS.' g Witnesses: A

H. E. BARTHRICK, EDW. DUMMER. 

